160 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



The treatment is to let them alone as long as the horse 

 suffers no inconvenience. If slightly lame, remove shoes and 

 give rest. If lameness persists, try cold water bath and hand- 

 rub thoroughly ; then try astringent lotion. If still lame, try 

 tincture of iodine. Paint on twice daily until skin becomes 

 sore, then withhold a few days. If still lame, try Spanish-fly 

 or red-blister. Lastly, the firing-irons may be resorted to. 

 Such operation^ should be performed only by those familiar 

 with the work. 



Fracture. — A fracture is a break in a bone. Fractures are 

 caused by blows, falls, collisions, and the like, as well as by sud- 

 den muscular contractions such as a violent effort to move a load, 

 a quick jump, a sudden stop or too sudden start, and like causes. 



The treatment of fractured bones consists in replacing the 

 broken bones in their natural position and keeping them there 

 without movement until they grow fast together. This is easiest 

 accomplished by covering with two layers of flannel bandages, 

 smoothly applied. Over this bandage place thin strips of wood, 

 or other light material, so as to hold the bones in place, then bind 

 with bandages. These wooden strips or splints should be as long 

 as convenient. In the place of splints, plaster of Paris bandages 

 can often be used to advantage. Such bandages may be ob- 

 tained from the drug store or made from cheese cloth and plas- 

 ter of Paris. After applying splints, they should be carefully 

 watched to see that they do not shut off the circulation below 

 the break. If the horse is to be maintained in a standing posi- 

 tion, a sling and "lean to" must be supplied to rest the animal. 



Lameness due to ailments of the joints 



There are three classes of injuries due to ailments of the joints. 

 These are, affections of the synovial sacs of the joint structures, 

 or of the bones and their articular surface, and dislocations of the 

 joints. The most important ailments of the joints likely to 



